Lambs Quarter is a weed that is often mistaken for spinach.
Lambs Quarter has many benefits, including:
- being high in fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C
- treating diarrhea
- reducing inflammation
- detoxifying the body
- treating skin conditions
- reducing fever
Lambs Quarter can be eaten raw or cooked and makes a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and soups.
If you’re using Lambs Quarter for any medicinal purposes, be sure to prepare it correctly as it contains high levels of oxalates which can lead to deficiencies in minerals and other health problems.
Read more about Lambs Quarter on wvu.edu
Common recipes made with Lambs Quarter
Lambs Quarter can be eaten raw or cooked and is a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and soups.
Lambs Quarter recipe ideas:
- Lambs Quarter and Chickpea Salad
- Lamb’s Quarter Pesto Pasta
- Braised Lambs Quarter with White Beans
- Roasted Vegetables with Lambs Quarter Chimichurri
- Grilled Cheese with Lambs Quarter and Tomato
- Lambs Quarter Salad
- Cream of Lambs Quarter Soup
Medicinal uses of Lambs Quarter
Lambs Quarter has a long history of being used medicinally.
Some of the medicinal uses of Lambs Quarter include:
- Treating diarrhea
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping to detoxify the body
- Treating skin conditions
- Reducing fever
- Helping to regulate menstruation
Preparing Lambs Quarter for topical skin use
If you’re using Lambs Quarter to treat a skin condition, you’ll want to prepare it as follows:
- Cut fresh Lambs Quarter leaves into small pieces
- Boil the Lambs Quarter in water for 10 minutes
- Cool the Lambs Quarter and apply it to the affected area
Making soap with Lambs Quarter
To make Lambs Quarter soap, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of Lambs Quarter leaves
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 1 cup of cold water
- 1 cup of lye
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Place the Lambs Quarter leaves in a blender and blend until it forms a paste.
- In a pot, bring the boiling water to a boil and add the Lambs Quarter paste.
- Cook the Lambs Quarter for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the Lambs Quarter from the heat and add the cold water and lye. Stir until the lye is dissolved.
- Add the olive oil and essential oil, if using.
- Pour the mixture into a mold and allow it to cool and harden.
- Cut the soap into bars and enjoy!
Common questions about Lambs Quarter
Is Lambs Quarter an herb?
Lambs Quarter is not an herb, it is a leafy green vegetable.
What does Lambs Quarter taste like?
Lambs Quarter has a slightly bitter taste.
Is Lambs Quarter the same as spinach?
No, Lambs Quarter is not the same as spinach.
Lambs Quarter is often mistaken for spinach, but it is a different plant.
Is Lambs Quarter easy to find?
Lambs Quarter can be found growing wild in many places.
It is also sold in some supermarkets and farmers markets.
How do you prepare Lambs Quarter to eat?
Lambs Quarter can be eaten raw or cooked.
To prepare Lambs Quarter, wash the leaves thoroughly and remove any tough stems.
Lambs quarter can then be added to salads, sandwiches, soups, or other recipes.
How do you make Lambs Quarter tea?
You can make Lambs Quarter tea by boiling the leaves in water for 5-10 minutes.
You can also add honey or lemon to taste.
Can Lambs Quarter be eaten raw?
Yes, Lambs Quarter can be eaten raw.
It is often used in salads.
Are Lambs Quarter seeds edible?
Yes, Lambs Quarter seeds are edible.
They can be ground into a flour or used whole in recipes.
Are their supplements that include Lambs Quarter?
Yes, Lambs Quarter is available in supplement form.
Can Lambs Quarter be planted?
Yes, Lambs Quarter can be planted.
It is often grown as a cover crop or green manure crop.
Can I use Lambs Quarter on insect bites?
Yes, Lambs Quarter can be used on insect bites.
Lambs Quarter has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help to soothe the skin and reduce swelling.
Lambs Quarter can also be used to treat other skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Why is it called Lambs Quarter?
The plant is actually in the Chenopodium family, which explains the “quarter” part of its name.
As for the “lamb” part, there are a few possible explanations.
One is that the leaves of the plant resemble lambs’ hooves. Another is that lambs like to eat the plant.
Whatever the origin of its name, Lambs Quarter is a nutrient-rich weed that is often mistaken for spinach.
Are Lambs Quarter high in oxalates?
Lambs Quarter benefits come from the leaves, which contain high levels of oxalates.
These compounds can bind with calcium and other minerals in the body, making them unavailable for absorption.
This can lead to deficiencies in these minerals, as well as kidney stones and other health problems.
